Torbjörn Abelli

About 16 or 17 years ago I came across a review of an obscure Swedish psychedelic band that was compelling. Pärson Sound conjured up visions of free form mind melting workouts, Sonic Youth inspired punk jams, and something fresh. The double disc anthology dd not disappoint. I eagerly hunted down later incarnations of the band – all under different names. International Harvester, Harvester, and finally, Träd Gräs och Stenar. Translation: Trees, Grass, and Stone. Throughout the various phases of the band a common theme can be seen. Communal spirit, restless experimentation, jams that flirt with punk, and the sense that there is nothing else like this in the world – past, present, or future. It is one of those bands that I eagerly tell people about – especially if they have an adventurous spirit. Sometime in the mid 70’s, the band splintered apart – some members devoted themselves to organic farming. Reuniting on occasion to jam, the band officially reunited in the late 90’s and released the albums Ajn Schvajn Draj in 2002 and Homeless Cats in 2009. Then, tragedy struck the band.